2017 Challenge Cup Champions2016/17 Elite League Champions

Devils Confirm Fire Affiliation and Two-Way Players

The Cardiff Devils are pleased to confirm an Affiliation with the Cardiff Fire Ice Hockey Club.

The Cardiff Fire operate the Cardiff based teams in the National League Division 1 & 2. The affiliation will see players from the Fire training with the Devils and potentially playing games with the big club. Devils season ticket holders will get a £2 discount off tickets for all Fire Games just by presenting their season ticket card.

Mark Cuddihy, Head Coach & GM of the Fire, spoke about this partnership:

“It’s an exciting time for junior players coming through and it gives the best players a pathway for development.

"Now in Cardiff we have every single level of senior hockey and it’s finally joined up. This is great for the guys on the Fire rosters and for the young kids coming up through the Junior Devils."

Devils Player/Coach Andrew Lord echoed Cuddihy's words:

"I agree that this is a very good partnership for developing players in Cardiff. Since I arrived in Cardiff, I don't think I remember a time when there was a cohesive plan for player development, and I believe this is a great first step."

The Devils also confirmed 2 players that will be on two-way contracts between teams in National League Division 1 and the Devils.

19-year-old Toms Rutkis, who has already agreed to terms with the Swindon Wildcats, will be training with the Devils all season while he attends University in Cardiff. Last season, he scored 8 goals and 7 assists in 33 games with the Wildcats. Rutkis will make his debut with the Devils this weekend against the Nottingham Panthers.

21-year-old Callum Buglass will be training with the Devils again this season. Calum is coming off an injury last season that limited him to only 14 games, but is back to full strength and will be playing with the Cardiff Fire.

Both players have the potential to get game time this season with the Devils. The Devils already have Craig Moore full time with the Devils who is 22 years old and falls under the new EIHL rule for Under 23 players on team rosters. Rutkis and Buglass fall under the same rule.